Chapter 43

"What are you up at this hour?" Leon said from the couch. "Got somewhere to go?"

Sky looked over in his direction trying to make out his form in the dark, "Can't sleep." She continued into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and her bike keys. She turned to go back into the living room and noticed him standing in the doorway. "What? No use lying in bed. Going for a ride. Besides why do you care?"

"Just curious."

"Ah ok then. See ya." Sky squeezed past him. A few steps from the door he grabbed hold of her arm.

"You shouldn't be out so late by yourself. Want to go shoot some hoops down at the garage?"

"Leon I can handle myself. I'll be fine. No need to watch over me."

"Come on Sky. Go shoot hoops with me."

"Fine, but we're taking my bike." He had won and she knew it. She was doing just what he wanted her to.

When they reached the bike he grabbed the keys out of her hand and slid onto the bike. He handed her a helmet and gestured for her to get on. With a huff she slipped the helmet, got on back of the bike, and pulled her body close to his. The engine started and they took off through the L.A. streets. Sky leaned her head down on Leon's back and relaxed. The trip to the garage was too short in Sky's opinion. For a split second she was able to forget that her and Leon weren't together. He killed the engine and she slid off the bike. "So much for that" she thought to herself. Leon ran inside to get his basketball while Sky cleared the area around the hoop.

"Ready to get your ass handed to you?" Leon quipped as he came out the door.

"Boy you've never been able to beat me, so what makes you think that tonight will be different?"

"We'll see."

"Let's go. So we making a friendly wager on tonight's game?"

"We can do that. Best two out of three, if I win you have to cook me breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week." Leon's mouth was watering just thinking about what he would have her make.

Sky laughed out loud, "I hope you've learned to cook cause I'm a picky eater."

"Shut up and check the ball."

Leon made a move towards the inside for a lay-up, but the shot was deflected. "This is going to be easy." Sky popped off. It was her shot. She made a move to the right, set up, and sunk a jump shot. "Better luck next time boy."

"No more talking, play ball." Leon hated when she got the first points of the game. He made his way in for another shot, but she stole the ball in the dribble. Frustration showed on his face. There was no way he was going to let her run past him in basketball. She stood back from the basket dribbling feeling out her next move. With a spin she made a move to the left. Leon caught her around the waist and picked her feet off the ground.

"Foul. Le, basketball is not a full contact sport." She pried at his fingers until he dropped her from his grip.

"Who says? You didn't say there were rules."

"I don't think you want to play no rules basketball with me. I fight dirty."

"Alright. Take your foul shot then."

The first game went to her with a score of 21-15. The second game started off much the same as the first. Sky jumped ahead by 6 points and could taste the victory or was it the banana pancakes she wanted him to cook for her when they got home. In a flash her lead was gone and Leon jumped ahead of her. She was going to have to fight for the second game. She removed her sweat soaked t-shirt and Leon did the same. Her concentration was shot as she watched the beads of sweat roll down his toned stomach.

"Game. I got this one." Leon slapped her on the ass.

"There's still another game and it's mine." She said pushing him away.

In his best impression of a fight announcer Leon yelled, "Let's get it on."

The game was close the whole way. At the end it came down to one play. The score was tied at 19 all. "Let's just call it a tie." Sky whispered to Leon making him think she wasn't sure she could win.

"No we finish this. I'm hungry."

"Ok then have it your way." Sky turned around and lobbed the ball backwards. Leon laughed thinking there was no way in hell the shot would make it. With a swish the shot was nothing but net. "I think that's game baby."

"I don't fucking believe it. How the hell did you?" He was so disgusted he couldn't finish the sentence.

"You always underestimate my athletic skills. Someday you'll learn."

"Underestimate my ass. Where the hell did you pick up that shit?"

"Don't you remember? You taught me that shot like ten years ago. Remember the day those jocks wouldn't leave me alone. They challenged us to a game and we beat their asses. The last shot you told me to lob it backwards and then you dunked it. I just learned to make the shot alone that's all."

"I remember now. Your mouth almost got me in a fight with twenty guys."

"Just can't seem to help myself." She said in between yawns.

"Come on sleepy head. Time to get you to bed."

Sky sniffed her armpits, "I need a shower so bad. I'm gonna head upstairs to clean up. Thanks for the game."

Leon watched her head for the stairs and then an idea popped into his head, "Hey take your shower downstairs. V won't hear you."

"Nah I can just use the one upstairs. Thanks anyways."

"Hell with that. Get your ass downstairs. If you wake Dom up this early he'll have us all at work and I ain't working on a Sunday."

"Fine. I just got to get some clothes."

"I'll get'em. Go." He pointed in the direction of the basement. "Don't make me tell you twice."

"You better watch it boy. I can take you down."

"Go." He stomped his foot near hers causing her to jump back. She retreated down the stairs figuring it was better not to provoke him this time.

Leon walked through the unlocked bathroom door to find Sky standing in front of the mirror with the towel wrapped around her waist. He put his hand over his eyes and held the clothes out to her. It was tempting for him to peek, but he thought better of it. Once she grabbed the clothes out of his hand, Leon turned around and left the room. She took a look at the clothes he had brought her, a light purple tank with matching boy shorts. She took a fresh towel and wrapped her hair to allow it to dry. Leon was waiting for her on the other side of the door. She could tell that he taken a shower himself after telling her not to wake Dom when he went up for her clothes. "I'm quieter," was the only explaination he offered.

Sky bounded up the stairs ready to make her way to her bedroom, but stopped dead in her tracks when she reached the top of the stairs. Laid out on the table were two place settings and glasses of orange juice. He pulled out her chair gesturing for her to have a seat. He walked into the kitchen and came back carrying two plates of French toast covered in strawberries and powdered sugar.

"Breakfast is served." Leon sat one plate in front of her.

"Wow. When did you learn to cook like this?"

"I used to cook for me and Jesse when his dad was out of town. Picked up a few things here and there."

"I'm impressed."

"Good." His face became serious. "So am I forgiven?"

"I forgave you a while ago, but that doesn't mean I'll ever forget."

"Oh."

"That doesn't mean I can move past it though. Leon you're the one person who knows me completely. I'm not just going to push you out over your lack of good judgment when it comes to women."

"It was a mistake."

"I know. We both made stupid mistakes. Maybe if I had been honest with you in the first place, you never would've doubted me."

"Now that you've forgiven me I've got to tell you something, but you've got to promise not to blow up."

"I already know what happened. Takara called me. She thought I needed a heads up."

Sky turned her attention to the food in front of her wanting Leon to drop the conversation before the subject of New York came up. She made sure to keep her mouth full so she couldn't talk though she felt Leon's eyes on her the whole time.

"Sky."

"Yes."

"There's a little," he brushed his fingers near her mouth dusting off the powdered sugar. A tingle shot down her spine. "Got it."

After he finished his breakfast he took the plates into the kitchen and cleaned them. Sky walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. The sound of the TV brought her out of the daze she was in. Leon took the seat beside her. As they watched the news together Sky drifted off to sleep. Leon kissed her forehead and pulled her into his lap. She nuzzled her face into his chest. Tightly he held her carrying her down the stairs to his room never taking his eyes off of her face. Gently he slid into bed with her still in his arms and was asleep in minutes.